Dearne Valley College launches new hybrid and electric vehicle technicians course
Dearne Valley College has launched a new set of Motor Vehicle courses from Level 1 to Level 3, aimed at providing students with the training to become qualified hybrid and electric vehicle technicians, as part of a national push to raise the current number of less than 1% of mechanics trained to carry out the specialist work.
Currently, students who have completed a Level 3 Motor Vehicle qualification (equivalent to A-Level) at the College will also have the opportunity to undertake the new qualification, working on new vehicles that were purchased as part of a grant given to the College by Sheffield City Region, which aimed to provide access to technical equipment and reduce the skills gap within the region.
The new courses have been introduced amid national changes in the motor vehicle industry, including government plans to ban the sale of all diesel and petrol cars from 2040, and Sheffield Council’s new Clean Air Strategy, which will include plans to test charges for the most polluting vehicles such as buses and HGVs when driving through a Clean Air Zone.
Daniel Duke, tutor at Dearne Valley College, said: “The new courses are part of a huge investment for the College and will help to address a skills gap in the market locally. It will give students the skills they need to be responsive to changes to the industry in the future and to go into a career having worked on cutting-edge technology.”
Motor Vehicle student, Jack Adams, said: “I think the course is a good opportunity to learn new skills and get a lot of experience. It’s something that I’m interested in and want to learn more about.”